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Christmas

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Original poster

Present for the little girl whose sister who has everything

60 replies

RedToothBrush · 23/09/2015 12:30

My niece will be 11 months old at Christmas. If that wasn't hard enough her parents are loaded and her older sister has everything already (and I do mean everything) so I am very reluctant to buy more toys tat as I think its a) not needed b) won't be appreciated. I found last Christmas pretty gross as the elder sister just had piles and piles of presents she just opened and stuffed to one side with no real interest or appreciation. Her parent's have already said they intend to 'regift' items from the elder daughter to the younger one.

Her elder sister is going through a phase of feeling threatened by her little sister too and is being exceptionally grabby and snatchy. Unfortunately this is being somewhat indulged by her parents so it also can't be something that's going to cause too much jealously for a 3 year old as the younger one will end up with no present otherwise.

I also don't really want to get anything along the lines of 'my 1st christmas' as I think that will tread on the toes of certain other relatives. I have considered a money box, but I think she may already have one.

So far pretty much the only thing that I can think of to get her is a nice personalised book.

I want her to have something that's definitely 'hers' but isn't just bought for the sake of buying a present. Its also further complicated by the fact that I have a birthday to buy for so quickly after Christmas.

I'm really stuck with it. Help!

OP posts:
MaxPepsi · 24/09/2015 11:21

Or one of these with the Initial of your Niece

Flower Fairy

and get it framed?

Or those street artists that do names so fantastically?

wonkywheel · 24/09/2015 11:28

Everyone else might get clothes but ime people don't always use a lot of imagination and just grab something (often pink) from Next etc. On the net especially there's lots of places (loads of small handmade businesses on FB) where you could get something a bit more 'special' like a handmade hat (seen some fab animal themed ones) or a good quality dressing up outfit/accessory (like a cape/tutu etc) which might be more personal?

damewalterscott · 24/09/2015 11:37

Why don't you buy her a beautiful classic book. One of My children was bought Wind in the Willows at that age. It is beautiful ly illustrated and has an inscription in the front with who it was for and why.

ALongTimeComing · 24/09/2015 11:45

I think you are very much over thinking a present for a baby. That's a lot of bloody agro over a gift. Start small..otherwise you'll set yourself up for trouble when she and her sister are older. 11 month olds don't care about Christmas!

Just think if her sister is so jealous over Christmas imagine what's going to happen at her birthday which I'm going to assume will be near Christmas?

Laquila · 24/09/2015 11:49

Emma Bridgewater personalised mini mug. Obvs she probably wouldn't be using it for a while but still nice to have. Or they do a nice melamine beaker and plate set, but you can't have that personalised.

Or:
Name plate for her door
A picture book of the Christmas story
Nice Christmas stocking with her name on it
A baby sledge

NegativeIron · 24/09/2015 12:10

I loved my tiny stool with my name carved on it. It was MINE. I can't remember being given it, my older DSis also had one, but mine was mine!

You can get personalised hairbrushes, chairs, or buy something and then get it personalised.

Re gifting will simply cause mire jealousy. But their prob, not yours.

NegativeIron · 24/09/2015 12:12

And I did the name plate, toy train with name letters in it, stuff, and letters for name to stick on door for God children.

LittleMissGreen · 24/09/2015 12:29

When DS1 was small so it was a long time ago, he was given a baby photo album - as in suitable for a baby to hold and play with made of soft material. Could you get one and fill it with photos of her and her family.

NegativeIron · 24/09/2015 12:30

Don't know your budget, but Sue Ryder does personalised wooden stools, and otherwise quite nice stools, funky pigeon do personalised soft toys, a number of others do personalised stuff. All deeply expensive other than dye ryder, but worth a look?

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 24/09/2015 12:40

Oh don't ask about Birthdays - I'm expecting carnage year on year due to them having a birthday just days apart! I think I feel its easier to get right when older as they will have their own interests. At this age its about setting the tone and making sure the older one isn't jealous of the younger ones gift whilst keeping family relations calm. This year is the first in many where DH is speaking to his brother and parents (his sister is another matter)

There is something of a back story to presents in DH's family. There is far too much of an association between love and presents. It took me years and many tears to get that through to DH and to understand why its such a big deal. The trouble is that it means its massively more sensitive than it should be so I do feel pressured to get it right. DH is also the second child so it is important to him (even though he won't sort it out himself - its perhaps one of the reasons he avoid it tbh). It would be easy if it were just about an 11 month old!

The Baby Sledge is a great idea in theory though weather dependant. DH is very outdoorsy as is his brother. That might give me a good direction to go in actually. Thank you.

OP posts:
Alanna1 · 24/09/2015 12:41

I don't think an 11 month old really needs anything, especially if lots of things are being re-gifted. You are already considering clothes, which are an obvious choice. My little one's entire wardrobe is hand-me-downs, so I do like it when she gets things of her own (she doesn't really care). Hats and gloves are always being lost if that takes your fancy. There are some newer toys on the market than there were 3 years ago, e.g. the o-bar for a scooter. But thinking outside the box, you could sponsor them both an animal at a local zoo (often comes with a free entrance ticket) (or similar for a variety of places which do children's memberships as well). Someone gave my 4 year old frozen bedlinen which she adores (I find it a bit tacky, but hey; it's not about me, is it) and I bet my 2 year old would like Peppa Pig bed-linen. The quality isn't great but I don't really care and that particularly wouldn't matter for peppa pig, which they outgrow quickly anyway.

Vernonon · 24/09/2015 13:46

Buy her a charm bracelet - then buy a different charm each year as she grows up and gets interested in other things

Floggingmolly · 24/09/2015 14:01

Surely to God the "carnage" associated with their birthdays (which you're only imagining at this stage; one of them hasn't even had her first birthday yet Hmm) won't be offset by what you happen to choose as a gift?
It all sounds so very very dramatic. If the parents are wet enough to allow the bigger one to appropriate the little one's gifts; there's really not very much you can do about it, is there?

You're making it your problem to solve when it really isn't.

Original poster
RedToothBrush · 24/09/2015 14:39

I wish I hadn't bothered asking now.

This is more of a response for AIBU rather than just giving some much needed ideas.

Cheers.

OP posts:
TheMshipIsBack · 25/09/2015 13:55

The toy box or a coat hook rack with her name on strike me as particularly useful. At almost one she'll soon be wanting to help get herself dressed and a set of hooks at an appropriate height could be great. (We have something like this for DS, and he's loved it since he could stand up - we use it for dress up play clothes.)

AGrinWithoutACat · 25/09/2015 14:05

I know you said you were not keen on personalised books but what about the Lost My Name book (could get one for each girl as they are different each time) you create online and can view what the story will be before you buy it. Would second the charm bracelet suggestion as well especially as birthdays are so close together and Christmas, again you could get each girl a bracelet but with different charms to suit and carry it on each year.

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 25/09/2015 14:12

as the elder sister just had piles and piles of presents she just opened and stuffed to one side with no real interest or appreciation.

Just started to read am sure can come up with more helpful suggestions but I did want to mention if you saw my DD ( who does not have piles and piles) on xmas morn you may say she too rips through with no appreciation.

In that moment perhaps not. She does however over the next days and indeed week and year, go back and properly look at everything, and play with it all. Some things are not looked at for weeks, then all of a sudden she will pick it up and come to it ( loads of stuff she does this with but on one occasion sticker books). I am happy with this as her bday is later on in year so xmas stuff keeps her going till then.

so although it may look awful, hard to judge over time.

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 25/09/2015 14:18

op I think people are making valid points you should consider them all.

I also think you should relax a little over it all.

I do think your book idea though is perfect. Have I missed somewhere saying why you cant go through with it, have just skim read.

My DD got one ( older 7) and its a wonderful special perfect keep sake.

Its a lovely idea.

I dont think it can be bettered in your circumstances.

My In laws - specifically DMIL is also heavily entangled in presents for love but I have after years of worry and strife cut them all down to one gift. I cant say what, but its personal , family orientated, DH I have to put lots of effort into it, and it costs collectively about £80. we know they all love it, but thats all they get.

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 25/09/2015 14:19

I think ours is a Lost My Name and its gorgeous!

We love it!

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 25/09/2015 14:21

sorry...will bow out shortly but personalised stuff isn't over kill, dc will love it, esp when older.

AMouseLivedinaWindMill · 25/09/2015 14:23

www.notonthehighstreet.com/modocreative/product/personalised-large-lucky-star

^ love this one, esp for baby at xmas so lovely..

attheendoftheday · 25/09/2015 14:31

I think the reason you might be getting quite harsh responses is because you come across as not too compassionate towards your older niece, who sounds like she's having a hard time with her new sister.

Re the presents, how about a tower to drop balls down or a car track to drop cars down? Then if the older one is jealous they can play use it at the same time rather than the little one missing out.

NestlingDolls · 25/09/2015 14:40

Here are some ideas: -

My Birthday Book : A Keepsake Journal by Amy Krouse Rosenthal - It's on Amazon. It is an American book, so does have a few Americanisms, but it's basically a record book of all their birthdays up until age 18, with bits to fill in as they grow and little interview pages to complete with them.

Door Plaque - From Jojo Maman Bebe. Personalised with own name.

A really nice moneybox.

A teddy bear from Hamleys.

A photo book for the first year of her life.

A height chart

A pyjama case

I know you said no toys, but the Tolo Teatime Shape Sorter is on Ebay for £7.99 at the moment. It doubles up as a teaset as well as a shape sorter. I have a bit of a soft spot for this toy, as my ds loves shape sorters - and has done for a while - but I think it's something a bit unusual. It's won some sort of toy award as well I think.

I have an aunt who was a bit like this when her kids were small. She expressed surprise to my mum that everyone seemed to buy her children pyjamas. She asked my mum if she'd found the same. My mum struggled not to laugh. It was because there always seemed to be an issue with every other kind of gift. They were very well off too.

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